Web for swimming



Oct. 28, 1930. J; EILERS WEB FOR SWIMMING Filed Jan. 3, 1930 fnrenfor:

Patented Oct. 28, 1930 TENT OFFICE J'OHANN. EILERS, F NEUSUDENDE POSTRASTEDE, GERMANY WEB FOR SWIMMING Application filed J'anuary3, 1930.Serial m. 418,347.

This invention relates'to a web attached in a suitable manner above theankles adapted to spread after the manner of an umbrella as soon-as thelegs are extended and to-collapse when the legs are being bent. It isevident that by this device a considerably greater swimming speed isobtained without substantially increasing the exertion of energy, as thecomparatively small pressure surface which the sole of the foot togetherwith the leg can oppose to the water is enlarged or completed in acertain measure by the stretched web. The device does not impede walkingon the land, the stretching stays of the web then hanging down. Be-

sides the stretching stays no other stays are necessary, as the Web ismaintained in the stretched position by the pressure exerted upon thewater when swimming. Guide stays, strap connections or other auxiliarymeans, which might interfere with the free movability of the web,designed for preventing the device from turning over, are not required,as thelatter function is carried out by the stretching stays which findsupport on the holding ring of the device. i

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawing in which; I

Fig. 1 shows the web in top plan view spread out.

Fig. 2 shows the device in inoperative position, the operative positionof one stretching lines.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation and Fig. 4 a front elevation, illustratingthe fastening of a stretching stay directly to the steel band placedover the leather strap, the operative position of the stretching staybeing indicated in Fig. 3 in dash lines. The device consists "of aleather strap 2 designed'to be placed around the leg and having flaps 3covering the joint closed by lacing 4:, said strap being preferablylined the stretching stays.

elevation in the stay being indicated in dash with soft leather, of athin resilient steel i band 5 placed on the strap 2, of vertical plates6 fixed by rivets 9 on said steel band, and of stretching staysThingedly mounted at 8 one on the lower end of each vertical plate Apiece of fabric 10, forming the web proper, is held at its upper edgebetween the leather strap 2 and its lining. This piece of fabric 10 isslit between the stretching stays 7 at the right and left of the jointof the leather strap 2, the two edges of the slit being preferablyconnected by a lace 13 located in hollow seams 12 on the outer edge ofthe piece of fabric 10. The upper end of each stretching stay 7 has anose 14;,

designed to prevent the stay from being lifted to above thehorizontalplane. The outer ends 15 of the stretching stays are connected to theweb proper 10 by sewing or in any other suitable manner.

The steel band 5 may have on its lower edge downwardly extending tongues16 forming hinge sleeve for the hinge pins of In this form ofconstruction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the verticalplates 6 are omitted.

A device designed to facilitate swimming is attached on each leg of theswimmer above the ankle. Owing to the lacing the device can be adaptedto the thickness of the leg.

The stretching stays are preferably loosely mounted in their hinges, i.c. with slight lateral play, so that the web proper, i. e. the piece offabric 10, can be re-stretched.

1. A device (web) designed to facilitate swimming attached above theankle so that at the extending of the leg the web is spread butcollapses at the bending of the leg, comprisingin combination a leatherstrap closed by lacing, a piece of fabric forming the web properattached at the upper edge on the inner side of said leather strap,a'thinsteel I hand on said leather strap, stretching stays hingedlymounted on said steel band and at- JOHANN EILERS.

